Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation
The Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. It is dedicated to promoting community access to education, the arts, and green spaces.
Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation at a glance
In short: Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation gave $1.1M across 37 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), top state Pennsylvania. 11% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,081,498
- +10.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 37
- +5.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $29,230
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $16,885,262
- +2.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (4 of 37, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (33% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation
- Review Cycle
- Requests must be received by September 15.
- Deadline
- Requests must be received by September 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Ashley Panny Co Bbh Co Vc Mars Foun
Mailing address: 140 Broadway, New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 483-1818
Email: vcmfoundation@bbh.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust ($50K). Together the top 10 received $481K.
Grant Size Distribution
174 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 144 grants of 174 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania (33%), Washington, DC (26%), and New York (25%). Recipients in New Hampshire received 7% and those in Maryland received 5%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 37 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 86% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 49% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $725K (2021) to $1.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 37 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust New London, NH | General Support | $50,000 |
| Children's Art Guild New York, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| Everybody Matters Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $50,000 |
| French & Pickering Creek Conservation Trust Inc Phoenixville, PA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Healthy Humor New York, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| Mighty Writers Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Neighborhood Garden Trust Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Reading Team New York, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens Devon, PA | General Support | $41,498 |
| Institute for Local Self-Reliance Washington, DC | General Support | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,885,262 | $1,748,764 | $1,289,796 | $1,081,498 | 37 | $1,098,012 | $1,205,233 | $1,029,696 |
| 2023 | $16,426,401 | $535,496 | $1,156,810 | $975,000 | 35 | $986,515 | $280,348 | $939,262 |
| 2022 | $17,117,715 | $931,239 | $1,125,801 | $955,000 | 32 | $970,137 | $369,743 | $956,428 |
| 2021 | $17,242,277 | $1,956,099 | $989,791 | $725,000 | 27 | $738,289 | $1,448,908 | $1,078,915 |
| 2020 | $16,275,969 | $2,533,980 | $1,300,262 | $1,095,000 | 43 | — | $1,877,265 | $904,177 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to increase community access to education, the arts, and green spaces. Its education focus includes support for historically under-resourced communities. Its arts focus is to broaden exposure to artistic expression and access to firsthand arts experiences. Its environmental focus values land and water preservation and encourages people to learn about and use local nature spaces.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Mighty Writers says it provides free year-round writing programs and teaches children to think and write clearly. The Reading Team describes early-literacy programs for preschoolers and school-age children. Healthy Humor says its performers create moments of joy, wonder, laughter, and comfort for hospitalized children and others in need. On the environmental side, Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust describes its work as conserving land and protecting the rural character of its region; Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens says it preserves woodlands and promotes environmental horticulture through learning, research, and conservation. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop says it builds community through accessible arts experiences.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $1,081,498. Individual grants ranged from $10,000 to $50,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest grants included $50,000 each to Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, Children’s Art Guild, Everybody Matters, French & Pickering Creek Conservation Trust, Healthy Humor, Mighty Writers, Neighborhood Garden Trust, and Reading Team. Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens received $41,498.
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its filing requests a written summary in letter form describing the organization’s mission, proposed grant purposes, amount requested, and budget summary, along with a copy of the IRS 501(c)(3) status letter. Submissions are to be sent electronically.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Valerie A. Mars, Pamela D. Mars-Wright, Marijke E. Mars, Victoria B. Mars, Christopher M. White, and Justin F. White as directors. Bernadette Russell is listed as president, Kimberly-Pacific Wise as vice-president, Stephanie J. Schuetz as treasurer, and Charlotte A. Rossetter as secretary.
Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation is led by Bernadette Russell, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 13 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bernadette Russell
President
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew D. Spina
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chance J. Wright
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher M. White
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin F. White
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyra M. Doyle
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marijke E. Mars
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela D. Mars-Wright
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Valerie A. Mars
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victoria B. Mars
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlotte A. Rossetter
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie J. Schuetz
Treasurer
President → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly-Pacific Wise
Vice President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Kimberly V. Spina (2020–2021) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation
How much does Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation give each year?
Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation gave $1.1M across 37 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $975K across 35 grants.
What is Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's typical grant size?
Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $29,230, across 37 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation give grants?
Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's top state is Pennsylvania, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (26%) and New York (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (10 grants), Philadelphia, PA (9 grants), New York, NY (6 grants) and Phoenixville, PA (2 grants).
Does Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (37 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's largest grantees?
Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust ($50,000), Children's Art Guild ($50,000) and Everybody Matters ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation?
Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation reported $16.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to increase community access to education, the arts, and green spaces. Its education focus includes support for historically under-resourced communities. Its arts focus is to broaden exposure to artistic expression and access to firsthand arts experiences. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation?
Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's EIN?
Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3798973. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/virginia-cretella-mars-foundation-morg_7aefc31ff6b24590a674607eaa6fd400
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133798973_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/virginia-cretella-mars-foundation-morg_7aefc31ff6b24590a674607eaa6fd400},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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